ICYMI: Senator Hassan Leads Roundtable Discussion at Families First in Portsmouth on Trumpcare’s Impact on New Hampshire

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Senator Maggie Hassan led a roundtable discussion hosted by Portsmouth community health center Families First with AARP State Director Todd Fahey, health care professionals, patients, and substance misuse treatment professionals who highlighted the “negative impacts of House Republicans' proposed health care bill” would have, “especially on New Hampshire residents with health care coverage for the first time under the Affordable Care Act.”

Key Points:

Senator Maggie Hassan: Hassan said the GOP bill would increase health insurance costs by 15 to 20 percent, and more for seniors.

Families First Health & Support Center Executive Director Helen Taft: Taft said Medicaid expansion was a game changer for Families First, adding many of its patients live below the poverty level and some are homeless. "In 2013, we had 49 percent of our patients uninsured, and we treat on a sliding scale," Taft said. "It was a real struggle. Now in 2016, only 21 percent are uninsured. We have a more stable bottom line and can offer more.

AARP State Director Todd Fahey: "this bill shifts the costs and burden to our older citizens," he said. "Most do not have savings and will not be able to afford health care."

Bi-State Primary Care Association President and CEO Tess Keunning: "There are 10 specific mandates for the Medicaid program and one is funding for substance abuse programs," said Keunning, who advocates for community medical centers in New Hampshire and Vermont. "Under the new bill, states will receive a capped amount based on the number of patients and must make decisions on how to disperse the funds. By September of this year, 70 percent of the funding to places like Families First will go away."

Director of Families First's behavioral health and addiction services Peter Fifield: Fifield said Medicaid expansion made it possible for many Families First patients to receive treatment for substance abuse. "Addiction is a big ship that takes time to turn around," he said. "Our patients tell us they are using against their will, every day. We need to keep being able to help."

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U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan joined a panel discussion Thursday on negative impacts of House Republicans' proposed health care bill, especially on New Hampshire residents with health care coverage for the first time under the Affordable Care Act.

… Hassan was joined by Families First Health & Support Center Executive Director Helen Taft, Peter Fifield, director of Families First's behavioral health and addiction services, Dr. Eric Samuel, medical director at Families First, AARP New Hampshire State Director Todd Fahey, Bi-State Primary Care Association President and CEO Tess Keunning, Planned Parenthood Patient Advocate Carla Vanderoof, and Jo Jordan, a patient and board member of Families First.

Hassan said she is committed to seeing the House bill defeated. She said the bill would eliminate Medicaid expansion and funding for family, behavioral health and substance abuse treatment services. She said providers say Medicaid expansion is their greatest tool as it provided reimbursement for treatments so they could expand options for needed services.

"When I was governor, we passed Medicaid expansion as a truly bipartisan effort," Hassan said. "The New Hampshire Health Care program created has helped Granite Staters with substance abuse and behavioral health needs. Pulling the rug out from under these programs is unconscionable because the opioid crisis is critical for us to address."

Taft said Medicaid expansion was a game changer for Families First, adding many of its patients live below the poverty level and some are homeless.

"In 2013, we had 49 percent of our patients uninsured, and we treat on a sliding scale," Taft said. "It was a real struggle. Now in 2016, only 21 percent are uninsured. We have a more stable bottom line and can offer more. We are in the process of opening a satellite center in Seabrook. Exeter Hospital gave some help in our getting started. That may now be in jeopardy."

"There are 10 specific mandates for the Medicaid program and one is funding for substance abuse programs," said Keunning, who advocates for community medical centers in New Hampshire and Vermont. "Under the new bill, states will receive a capped amount based on the number of patients and must make decisions on how to disperse the funds. By September of this year, 70 percent of the funding to places like Families First will go away."

Fifield said Medicaid expansion made it possible for many Families First patients to receive treatment for substance abuse. "Addiction is a big ship that takes time to turn around," he said. "Our patients tell us they are using against their will, every day. We need to keep being able to help."

Hassan said the GOP bill would increase health insurance costs by 15 to 20 percent, and more for seniors.

… Hassan also said the bill would defund Planned Parenthood with no capacity to replicate its services. "This is unacceptable," she said.

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